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ILLINOIS
The 2011 Illinois corn crop is expected to yield 170 bushels per acre, up 13 bushels from last year’s yield. Production of corn for grain would be 2.09 billion bushels, up 7 percent from 2010. Generally wet conditions led to a slower planting season than is typical, but warmer-than-average temperatures have allowed the crop progress to keep pace with the five-year average.

Slightly cooler weather and scattered showers across much of the state made for a favorable growing week, and was a welcomed change from the hot and dry conditions experienced throughout the summer thus far. Statewide, temperatures averaged 72.5 degrees last week, 1.2 degrees below normal.
The northern portion of the state experienced slightly above-normal precipitation; however, statewide precipitation was nearly 0.2 inches below average, ending the week at 0.65 inches.

Website connects farmers to world
Today’s farmers and ranchers are so busy increasing their productivity to meet the needs of a growing world that they don’t have time to sit and visit with their neighbors like they used to. However, there is still great value in building relationships, sharing information and asking for advice.
A new website and mobile application, cropnation, will allow farmers and ranchers to connect with each other, whether they are across the country or across the section.

Several deadlines are approaching for Illinois USDA Farm Service Agency programs.
NAP coverage is required on all non-insurable crops, and crop insurance is required on insurable crops to remain eligible for most disaster programs.
Among the deadlines are:
Aug. 31 – Final application closing date for 2012 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage on canola.

Producers who have lost livestock due to excessively hot temperatures may have help available.
Scherrie Giamanco, state executive director of the Illinois Farm Service Agency, this week reminded producers that the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides financial assistance for livestock deaths as a direct result of adverse weather conditions.
"The hot, dry conditions that are widespread across Illinois may be good for the development of crops," Giamanco said. "However, they have proven to be detrimental for livestock producers."

Rainfall was sporadic throughout the state. Some counties reported continuing dry conditions, while others experienced flooding. Damage to crops and livestock due to flooding was reported.
Precipitation across the state averaged 1.52 inches, 0.68 inches above normal, though most areas are still experiencing dry conditions.

The American Farm Heritage Museum in Greenville held its annual Farm Heritage Days last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In the first photo, Mike Myers of Altamont drives his 1948 International M during a tractor pull on Saturday afternoon. In the second photo is a variety of Allis Chalmers tractors; Allis Chalmers was the featured tractor at this year's event.

The longer the heat wave lingers over the Midwest, the more concerned area farmers become. And if the unusual weather pattern hasn’t already hurt yields, experts say that it won’t be long until it does.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a prolonged heat wave like this,” said Ron Marshel, manager of the Fayette County Farm Bureau. “And even though we’ve gotten enough moisture to keep the plants going, the heat has taken a toll.”

ILLINOIS CROPS
WHEAT: The Illinois wheat yield for the 2011 crop is estimated to average 61 bushels per acre, based on the July 1 surveys, down one bushel per acre from the June forecast. Total production would be 43.9 million bushels, more than 2.5 times the 2010 production of 16.5 million bushels.
Acreage expected to be harvested for grain is 720,000, more than double the harvested acres in 2010. As of July 3, 75 percent of the wheat acres were harvested, compared to 82 percent last year and the five-year average of 70 percent.